Tom Herman gets his first win at Texas; Longhorns rout San Jose State 56-0

AUSTIN (AP) — Chris Warren III ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns and freshman Sam Ehlinger got his first career start at quarterback as Texas beat San Jose State 56-0 Saturday to give coach Tom Herman his first win with the Longhorns.

Ehlinger started in place of injured Shane Buechele and passed for 222 yards. Jerrod Heard, a wide receiver and former starting quarterback, rotated with Ehlinger several times and scored on runs of 9 and 3 yards in the first half.

Warren’s first touchdown came on a 41-yard burst off a direct snap in the second quarter. Defensive back Holton Hill scored his third touchdown in two games with an interception return for a score in the third.

The victory was a crucial turnaround for the Longhorns (1-1), who lost Herman’s debut at home to Maryland a week earlier. After giving up 51 points in that loss, the Texas defense got its first shutout since 2014 and first at home since 2012.

THE TAKEAWAY

TEXAS: Herman likes to call Ehlinger an “alpha” and the freshman’s burst with his legs gives the Texas offense a new wrinkle that’s missing with Buechele. Ehlinger’s passing has room for growth as he was 15-of-27 with several misfires and drops. All of it means Texas will face new quarterback questions about who to start — assuming Buechele is healthy enough to return — when the Longhorns next face Southern California.

San JOSE STATE: The Spartans (1-2) were overmatched, particularly at the line of scrimmage. The 250-pound Warren smashed through tackles and even hurdled over one for a first down in the first half. Freshman quarterback Montel Aaron also was victimized by several dropped passes in a game.

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) leaps over San Jose State safety Maurice McKnight (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) leaps over San Jose State safety Maurice McKnight (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) sidesteps San Jose State cornerback John Toussaint (2) as he scores on a 41-yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) throws against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas head coach Tom Herman, center, talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Jose State, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard (13) scores a touchdown against San Jose State on a three-yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) celebrates his 41-yard run touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) runs for a 41-yard touchdown against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) looks to throw as he tuns against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)